Hello,
I think it is because it if difficult to have a different verification process for auto-zeros (where they don’t have to verify dependent student income) versus those who aren't auto-zero and dependent student income is required to be verified. Also, there are times when parent info changes, so someone will go from being auto-zero to not auto-zero, at which point dependent student income would need to be verified.
That being said, I do have concerns and wonder if there is a better way.
You sharing your experiences with me (especially if barriers are created that students find difficult to overcome) will help me make the case that financial aid offices may want to reconsider their processes.
I honestly don't think most financial aid professionals understand the level of confusion and difficulty created by this process. As a former financial aid professional myself for 16 years, I don’t' think I truly understood negative impact of these processes until I was in this job. Also, working with all of you has helped me to better understand the impact, which is why I think I'm on my way to stirring up a dust storm :-).
Your feedback is so incredibly helpful! Keep it coming!
Thank you so much,
Mila
Mila Tappan
College Access and Outreach Manager
FINANCE AUTHORITYOF MAINE
P.O. Box 949, 5 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04332-0949
207-620-3504 or 1-800-228-3734
Fax: 207-213-2604 – TTY: 207-626-2717
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Helping Maine people achieve their business and education goals since 1983
Best Places to Work in Maine - 2015
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-----Original Message-----
From: - MEEOA-L - Maine Educational Opportunity Association members communication [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Marilyn Wegner
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2016 3:41 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Financial Aid Verification Question
Hello All,
I, too, wonder why Maine colleges require verification when the Feds do not. I am surprised at how many are pulled for this process, and it can be a confusing process as you know.
On Wed, Apr 6, 2016 at 2:26 PM, Karen Keim <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> We teach our students about verification because nearly all of them
> are selected for verification.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Apr 6, 2016, at 1:10 PM, Mila Tappan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I might be in the process of stirring up a dust storm and want to
> > check
> with all of you to get your feedback before going further.
> >
> > When students complete the FAFSA, many of our low-income students
> > are
> eligible for "Auto-Zero" formula (parent income less than $25,000 and
> meet one of three other criteria). When doing a FAFSA with a student,
> you will find that after the parent income information is entered, the
> screen updates and there is a question that appears that says, "Do you
> want to skip the remaining questions about your and your parents
> income and assets?" So long as the parents' income isn't bumping up
> against the
> $25,000 cut off, I let students know that it is okay to skip those
> questions. The reality is, even if the information is provided it is
> excluded from the formula. My thought has always been why have them
> provide information that isn't need - keep it simple and get the FAFSA
> submitted (that is why the form has skip logic and is designed that way).
> >
> > Federal regulations do not require that income information be
> > verified
> for a dependent auto-zero students, even if he or she is selected for
> verification. However, I'm learning that most colleges in Maine do
> require that students in that scenario verify income information,
> either by going back in, changing the answer to the question, and
> using IRS DRT or by obtaining and submitting a tax transcript.
> >
> > A couple of questions for you:
> >
> > What percentage of your 0 EFC students seems to be selected for
> verification? A small portion, about half, or most? Just trying to
> get a general idea of how many students this is impacting.
> >
> > Do you think this causes confusion for students who are selected for
> verification? To me, it seems like an unnecessary extra step, but if
> it isn't a big deal to students, I don't want to stir up a storm
> around the issue. On the other hand, if this additional step is
> causing confusion - or worse, preventing students from finishing the
> process, I want to be sure it is being discussed. Verification of
> parent income information is still required for auto-zero students.
> >
> > I'd love your feedback on this topic.
> >
> > Thank you very much!
> >
> > Mila Tappan
> >
> >
> >
> > Mila Tappan
> > College Access and Outreach Manager
> > FINANCE AUTHORITYOF MAINE
> > P.O. Box 949, 5 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04332-0949
> > 207-620-3504 or 1-800-228-3734
> > Fax: 207-213-2604 – TTY: 207-626-2717 [log in to unmask]
> >
> > Helping Maine people achieve their business and education goals
> > since
> 1983
> > Best Places to Work in Maine - 2015
> >
> >
> > CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: If you have received this e-mail in error,
> please immediately notify the sender by e-mail at the address shown.
> This e-mail transmission may contain confidential information. This
> information is intended only for the use of the individuals or
> entities to whom it is intended even if addressed incorrectly. Please
> delete it from your files if you are not an intended recipient. Thank you for your compliance.
>
--
Marilyn Wegner
Assistant Director, Johnson Scholars Program TRIO Student Support Services University of Maine at Farmington Franklin Hall Farmington ME 04938
207-778-7565
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